The New York Rangers got a much-needed win on home ice Monday evening, with some youngsters hitting some NHL “firsts” in the process. Winger Jimmy Vesey had his first NHL hat trick, Pavel Buchnevich recorded his first three-assist performance, and Alexander Georgiev recorded 41 stops for his first win at Madison Square Garden.

Just over halfway through the game’s first period, Mats Zuccarello got things started. Mika Zibanejad won a faceoff back to Neal Pionk, who appeared to miss the net wide on purpose. Tthe puck bounced back to the back door and Zuccarello tapped it home for his 13th of the season.

In the second frame, Buchnehich makes a phenomenal individual effort, winning a draw to himself, and sliding a pass over to Jimmy Vesey. Vesey was back door and tapped it home for his 13th of the season.

As consistent as the sun coming up, a former Ranger scored a big goal for the opposition as Lee Stempniak cleaned up a rebound in front off a Jeff Skinner shot. The Rangers lost the draw as Skinner made a very nice play cutting across the middle of the ice and getting his shot through traffic.

Buchnevich collected his second assist of the net on the power play in the second frame. The Rangers won a draw and Buchnevich decided to throw the puck on net from the blueline. Vlad Namestnikov was waiting in the high slot, and just got enough of a redirect on the puck to beat Scott Darling.

But just like they did all night long the Hurricanes fought back and tied the game minutes after Vladdy gave the Rangers the lead. Victor Rask blasted home a loose puck from the blue line. Georgiev was screened by numerous players and never stood a chance.

The Rangers took the lead off of some strong neutral zone play, which they had clearly improved on tonight. Buchnevich and Vesey combined to make a strong defensive effort in the neutral zone. Vesey was able to collect a loose puck right around the faceoff dot and beat Darling high for his second of the net.

BKN

NYR

NYI

NJD

SJU

Neal Purcell has a tremendous passion for New York Rangers hockey and the sport of hockey in general. A graduate of SUNY Cortland in Upstate NY, Purcell coaches both a high school hockey team and a travel team in the winter. Purcell is also a part of a small family business in the Central New York Region.